Tag Archives: Roland GO:PIANO

Winter NAMM 2019: Interfaces

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With 15 days until Winter NAMM 2019, no bombshell products other than unverified rumors on the forums. Here’s a few announced products which will be promoted at Winter NAMM 2019.

Inexpensive audio/MIDI interfaces

Readers of Sound On Sound may covet audio/MIDI interfaces with 4 figure price tags, but it’s the low end of the price spectrum for us punters.

PreSonus have a handsome product in the PreSonus Studio 2|4. Just the facts:

  • Preamps: PreSonus XMAX-L solid-state preamps
  • Sample rate: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, or 192 kHz
  • Resolution: 24-bits
  • ADC dynamic range: 108 dB
  • DAC dynamic range: 108 dB
  • Audio inputs: 2x combo front panel, +48V phantom power
  • Audio out: 2x 1/4″ TRS rear panel
  • MIDI: IN and OUT rear panel
  • Headphone out: 1/4″ TRS rear panel
  • USB: USB-C rear panel
  • Software bundle: Studio One Artist
  • Street: $149.99 USD

Front panel controls include input levels, mix, main and headphone out. One advantage over the Mackie (our next contender) is front panel metering: inputs and main.

Mackie are offering a pair of ONYX Series interfaces: Onyx Artist 1•2 and Onyx Producer 2•2. By way of comparison, specs for the Onyx Producer 2•2 are:

  • Preamps: Mackie Onyx mic preamps
  • Sample rate: Up to 192 kHz
  • Resolution: 24-bits
  • Audio inputs: 2x combo front panel, +48V phantom power
  • Audio out: 2x 1/4″ TRS rear panel
  • MIDI: IN and OUT rear panel
  • Headphone out: 1/4″ TRS front panel
  • USB: USB 2.0 rear panel
  • Software bundle: Traktion T7 plus 16 FX plug-ins
  • Street: $179.99 USD

Mackie claims that they are “built-like a tank.” Given that my old 1202 mixer is still in service, they mean it. Front panel controls include input gain, mix, monitor and headphone levels.

Given the price points and feature set, comparison is irresistable. For the money, I’d go with the PreSonus: USB-C, front panel metering and lower street price. I’ve been using the same trashed out MIDI and audio interfaces for a looong time. Maybe upgrade? The PreSonus does look nice.

Roland GO:PIANO88

My review of the Roland GO:KEYS is one of the most often viewed articles on this site. It’s a neat inexpensive keyboard and I’ll bet that the GO:PIANO is just as popular, especially with parents who want to get their kids started with a musical instrument.

Roland have extended the GO:PIANO line with an 88-key model — the Roland GO:PIANO88. It’s still quite portable (7kg), does Bluetooth, and runs on (optional) battery power. Roland are pitching this product squarely at the entry home and education markets. Street price is $399.99 USD.

Other GO:PIANO88 specs include: Four tones (piano, EP, organ, strings), reverb, 128 voice polyphony, 2 x 10W amplifier power, 15 x 6 cm speakers, pedal in, headphone out and USB Micro-B for MIDI. GO:PIANO88 also features Amazon Alexa voice control. What would Alexa say to a whinging kid who doesn’t want to practice? 🙂

My chief reservation about the GO:KEYS and GO:PIANO is quality and feel of the keybed. I hope that Roland has made improvements. Roland describe the keys as “Box-shape Keys with velocity.” Definitely not hammer-action.

BTW, what’s up with all of the punctuation characters in product names? Vertical bars? Dots? Colons? Cheesh.

Copyright © 2019 Paul J. Drongowski